Story Highlights
Karachi Carnage
At least 43 people were killed on Wednesday in Karachi when six gunmen on motorcycles boarded a bus and opened fire on commuters who belonged to Ismaili sect, a minority Shia Muslim sect. Militant group Jundullah, which has attacked Muslim minorities before, claimed responsibility. According to media reports Jandullah spokesman Ahmed Marwat claimed the responsibility and warned about further attacks on Ismailis, Shias and Christians.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed extreme sadness over the attack, saying the attack is an attempt to spread divisions in the country. Legislators in parliament also expressed anger over the terrorist attack and unanimously passed a resolution that condemned the attack and demanded stern action against the culprits. Wednesday was declared a day of mourning throughout the country by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while the Sindh government had also called for province-wide day of mourning. Several political parties had also given such call to show sympathy with the families of those killed in the bus attack. Pakistan’s national flag also flied at half-mast in mourning.
Meanwhile Karachi gave a deserted look while atmosphere remained somber the following day. Most of the educational institutes and business centers remained closed with negligible presence of public transport. Colleges and universities also postponed their examinations amid tense situation in Karachi. Many politicians, political activists and citizens, along with the families of victims attended the funeral prayers.
To avoid any untoward situation, security was beefed up in the city and heavy contingent of police and rangers were deployed around sensitive and worship places in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
Decision On Rigging
The Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday suspended the decision of election tribunal which disqualified Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique after irregularities were confirmed in polls in his constituency NA- 125 in the May 2013 general elections.
The court also suspended the decision of the tribunal related to PP-155 due to which Pakistan Muslim League s (PML-N s) Mian Naseer lost his seat. A three-member bench of Supreme Court suspended the tribunal’s order when hearing a response to a petition submitted by Khawaja Saad Rafique. Moreover, Saad Rafique has also been restored on his post after this verdict.
Last week, the tribunal had found irregularities in NA-125 and PP-155 after which the tribunal had annulled results of the NA-125 election and ordered a re-poll on the seat.
Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Tuesday submitted to the judicial commission proofs of printing of extra ballot papers in over four dozen constituencies of the National Assembly. The inquiry commission was told that thousands of ballot papers were printed and were released under the supervision of former Punjab election commissioner Mehboob Anwar.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan also said that the method of rigging has been caught and reiterated that the decision is to be made by the judicial commission, adding that his party will accept whatever the decision is.
PM In Kabul
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with the army chief visited Afghanistan to discuss security situation in the region. In a meeting with Afghan Presidend Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promised coordinated military operations with Afghan forces to hunt down militants along their shared border. He also said that any effort by militants to destabilize Afghanistan will be dealt with severely. Nawaz Sharif also assured Ashraf Ghani that the enemies of Afghanistan are enemies of Pakistan. Prime minister also said that in case of any terrorist activity in either countries, both the countries would take counter action together.
The prime minister expressed confidence that Pakistan and Afghanistan would succeed in rooting out menace of terrorism through their determination and joint efforts.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for peace and reconciliation process and assured President Ashraf Ghani of making all possible efforts in this regard. Both the sides agreed to continue their bilateral relations by following the principles of non-interference and not to allow their territories to be used against each other.
Meanwhile Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalil Ullah on Thursday said that the government has urged Afghanistan not to allow its territory to be used by Indian spy agency RAW for any negative activities in Pakistan.
Other News
All other news are considered under this category.
